July 13th 2016 – A Heart of Appreciation and Grat itude

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Have you ever owed someone a debt that you couldn’t pay for a few days… maybe it was at school or at work? When you saw that person, what did you do? Ducked away and hid? You didn’t want to see them until all accounts were settled. Or maybe the shoe was on the other foot. Maybe you loaned a good friend some money, then you saw him or her and you knew they were avoiding you. They didn’t want to see you until they could pay you back. Some of you still feel like you owe God something, and because of that you have been ducking God, hiding from God. You’re like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden when God called out “Adam where are you?”

I look for a couple of realities in someone’s life to when they say they’re a Christian:

1) A love for the Lord and others.

2) A desire to tell others out of an appreciation for the Good News.

3) An appreciation and gratitude for the person, group or miniatry that led them to the Lord.

“We don’t owe a sin debt, we do owe a Good News debt.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for forgiving me. You cancelled all the debt I owe, I do not have to be ashamed. Please place in me a desire to tell others, and a grateful heart for those who led me to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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